Guide
Is it safe to book glamping over WhatsApp?
Yes, booking glamping over WhatsApp is safe if, before you pay, you check that the stay exists and that the money goes to an account in its name. WhatsApp isn't the risk. The risk is paying a deposit without checking anything.
On social media and WhatsApp there are also ads for glamping sites that don't exist, or that use the photos and name of a real one. They ask for a deposit and then stop replying. These steps take a few minutes and help you avoid that.
Checklist before you pay
Go through these points before sending any deposit:
- RNT number: ask for the National Tourism Registry (RNT) number and look it up in the public RNT search. Check that the business name, the town and the registration status match what they tell you.
- Matching channels: the WhatsApp, Instagram and website should all have the same name and details. Be wary of a newly created profile, one with few posts or with photos that appear in other ads.
- A live check: ask for a short video call or a recent video of the place. A real glamping site can show you around.
- Account in the stay's name: pay the deposit into an account in the name of the business or its owner. If they ask you to pay someone else, ask why and don't pay until you get a clear answer.
- Everything in writing: ask for a confirmation with the dates, number of guests, total price, deposit, balance and cancellation policy. Keep the chat and the payment receipt.
- A realistic price: compare it with other glamping sites in the same area. A price far below the rest is a warning sign.
- Normal payment methods: don't pay with gift cards, top-ups or transfers to third-party accounts.
Warning signs
If you notice one of these signs, stop and check again before you pay:
- Pressure: they tell you the offer expires in minutes or that someone else is about to book.
- Account switch: at the last minute they ask you to pay into a different account from the one they gave you.
- No clear details: they won't give you the business name, the town or the RNT number, or they change the subject when you ask.
- Deposit only, nothing in writing: they want payment before sending you a confirmation with the terms.
What the RNT is and what it doesn't guarantee
In Colombia, tourism businesses have to sign up with the National Tourism Registry (Registro Nacional de Turismo, RNT). An RNT number shows that the business is registered.
It isn't a quality seal. Nor does it prove that whoever is messaging you is the owner, because someone can use the name of a real glamping site. That's why you should also compare the contact channels and the name on the payment account.
If a stay has no RNT, ask why and check the other points more carefully.
How glampings.co helps
glampings.co is a directory. It doesn't sell nights, doesn't take payments from guests and doesn't charge commission. If anyone asks you to pay in the name of glampings.co, don't.
- RNT on the stay's page: of the 1,580 stays on glampings.co, 973 have an RNT number. We show it on the stay's page exactly as it appears in the registry, so you can look it up yourself.
- Verified by the owner: pages that the owner has claimed and that we have verified carry this label.
- Direct WhatsApp: 1,227 stays have a WhatsApp button. It opens a chat with the number shown on their page, with no middlemen. Still, go through the checklist above before you pay.
If you've already paid and suspect a scam
Keep the chat, the receipts and the link to the profile or ad. Tell your bank or the payment app you used as soon as possible. File a report with the authorities and report the profile on the social network where you found it.
More guides
- What is glamping?: what glamping is, which types you'll find in Colombia and where to find them.
- How much does glamping cost in Colombia?: what drives the price of a glamping stay and how to get the exact price.
- All guides